Everybody knows that Venice, Italy is one of the most romantic locations in the world, ideally suited for honeymoons and lovers’ getaways. However, one of its lesser known landmarks, the Giardini Papadopoli botanical gardens, also proves that, contrary to popular belief, Venice is a verdant town, with a richness of plants and flowers.
Get to Know the Giardini Papadopoli
The lavish verdant corner sits very close to Piazzale Roma, one of Venice’s main transport hubs and the location for the city’s bus station. You can arrive at Piazzale Roma directly from the Venice Marco Polo Airport and Treviso Airport. Additionally, Venice’s main railway station, Santa Lucia (Ferrovia) is also close by, linked to the square by the modern Ponte della Costituzione footbridge. As such, the location is easier to access than you may have previously imagined, and doing a detour in your already planned tour of Venice, so as to enjoy this location, requires no effort at all.
The history of the botanical gardens starts with an old convent which was demolished to make room for the Giardini Papadopoli. The initiative for building the gardens belonged to local entrepreneurs who hailed from the Greek island of Corfu, which explains the place’s Greek name.
Back in the day, in the 19th century, the Giardini Papadopoli was mostly used as a setting for extravagant parties among the garden’s exotic flowers and rare animals. Today, the gardens has been reduced in size, following the 1933 excavations for the building of the adjoining Rio Novo canal.
In addition to the old shady trees and the colorful flowers, the Giardini Papadopoli is also home to a children’s corner, where the little ones can play at leisure and at will.
Good to Know about Giardini Papadopoli
Given its central location and proximity to some of Venice’s main transport hubs, the area of the Giardini Papadopoli also hosts several luxurious hotels. Staying in this area will ensure access to wonderful cityscapes.
The three-star Hotel Santa Chiara & Residenza Parisi is located at only a few hundred meters from the Giardini Papadopoli. Those who choose to stay here will enjoy splendid views of the Grand Canal and Piazzale Roma. Additionally, it’s very easy to access the ferry terminal from this location.
The Albergo ai Tolentini provides accommodation for those who want to plan a self-catering vacation to Venice. The apartment is situated right next door to the Tolentini Church.
Ca’ Dei Polo is also an apartment for holiday hire, located in an exquisite building dating back to the 1400s, right next to the Tolentini Church, and at a five minute walk away from Piazale Roma. The place’s ample terrace boasts a view of the Grand Canal.
What to See near the Giardini Papadopoli
The Ponte della Costituzione, moved into place in 2007 to act as a connection between the Stazione di Santa Lucia to Piazzale Roma, is a wonderfully modern footbridge, the fourth to cross Venice’s Grand Canal. Its reception by the locals and local politicians was filled with controversy and protest, as the bridge does not allow wheelchair access and was seen as unnecessary. However, there are also many who appreciate its modern minimalist design.
The Chiesa di San Nicolo da Tolentino, which translates as the Church of Saint Nicholas from Tolentino is a wonderful place of worship, adorned with paintings by Palma il Giovane and the Padovanino. It was built in the last decade of the 16th century and is still in use as a place of worship, with daily mass. Visits to the church might require making prior arrangements and checking for availability.
The Fondamenta dei Tre Ponti is a wonderful promenade street, located very close to the Giardini Papadopoli. Amble the street, sit down at any of the cafés, soak in the Venetian atmosphere and admire the gondolas ‘driving’ past you on the canal.
Address: Giardini Papadopoli, Venice, Italy
